Current Affairs - Places

Jaipur served as the venue for the first regional workshop under the national cooperative reform drive organised by the Ministry of Cooperation. The workshop focused on advancing the vision of “Sahkar se Samriddhi” by strengthening the cooperative sector. Key areas discussed included decentralised grain storage infrastructure, expansion of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS), and development of dairy and fisheries cooperatives. Representatives from major organisations like NABARD and FCI participated. The event also emphasised initiatives such as the World’s Largest Grain Storage Plan and integration of PACS with the WDRA framework to enhance efficiency and rural economic growth.

Guntur is the city whose municipal corporation received the 4th Gender Equality Mobilisation (GEM) Award from the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) in Vienna. The recognition was given for its innovative approach to gender inclusion and sustainable waste management. The corporation deployed over 200 women as electric auto drivers for garbage collection, helping integrate informal workers into the formal economy. This initiative, implemented under the Sustainable Cities Integrated Approach Pilot (SCIAP), highlights the city’s commitment to environmental sustainability, women's empowerment, and efficient urban governance practices.

Eveready Industries established India’s first alkaline battery manufacturing facility in Jammu as part of its strategy to reduce dependence on imported finished goods. The greenfield plant, built with an investment of around ₹200 crore, has a production capacity of about 360 million batteries annually. This move strengthens domestic manufacturing and positions the company as the sole producer of finished alkaline batteries in India. It also helps improve profit margins and market share while supporting the rapidly growing alkaline battery segment, which is expanding much faster than traditional carbon-zinc batteries in the country.

The Bihar Diwas & Investment Forum 2026 was hosted in Jakarta, the capital city of Indonesia. The event took place at the Wayang Auditorium within the Embassy of India and marked the official launch of the Indonesia chapter of Yayasan Bihar Samaj Indonesia (BSI). It aimed to promote investment opportunities in Bihar across sectors such as agriculture, food processing, tourism, and education. The forum also showcased Bihar’s rich cultural heritage through traditional performances like the Jhijhiya dance, strengthening diaspora engagement and international collaboration.

The statue of Lt Gen Sagat Singh Rathore, a distinguished war hero, was unveiled in the district of Churu, Rajasthan, during the ‘Shaurya Ke Saath Sankalp Divas’ programme. The event was led by the Chief Minister of Rajasthan and aimed to honour the contributions of the military leader. In addition to unveiling the statue, the state government also renamed the local stadium in his honour. This initiative reflects the government’s efforts to recognise the sacrifices and achievements of armed forces personnel while promoting patriotism and awareness among citizens.